Since your audience views radio in their mind’s eye, ask yourself, “Where is the camera? What will be the audience’s point-of-view?” In a conversation between two people in a car, is the camera to their left or right? On the dashboard facing them? Between them, looking over their shoulders? In the back seat, listening from the passengers’ perspectives? Put your microphone where the camera would be, or mix the elements so that the listener is in that place.
In addition to your script, you could draw a stage diagram, showing the blocking of the actors and sound effects: “The door opens on the right, footsteps are panned from right to center, someone speaks then moves left, and their voice and footsteps move along with them. At the same time someone else is moving toward or away from the microphone (camera).” Produce it in stereo for that rich, full-bodied flavor!
Radio is a visual medium. With the right planning, your commercial will be rich with audio (visual) interest and the audience will be intrigued, tantalized, and may even stay for the full 30 or 60 seconds!
-Jeffrey Hedquist, President/Creative Director, Hedquist Productions, Inc.
Jeffrey Hedquist has been asking “Where is the camera?” ever since that chance meeting with Allen Funt so many years ago, but…that’s another story.
To get your very own free copy of “Hedquist’s List of 239 Cliches,” email me [email protected] and I’ll send them. Guaranteed to reduce commercial effectiveness.
